Tributes

Barrios It is with great sadness that we write to you about the life and tragic death of our mother Viola B. Barrios. The wife of one husband, Jose C. Barrios, despite losing him at an early age in a fatal automobile accident on Labor Day September 1, 1975. She was brought to the United States from the birthplace of Bustamante, Nuevo Leon, Mexico by her father Mr. Alfredo Botello several years after the death of her mother Mrs. Evangelina Botello, the grandmother that we never met but heard a great deal about. Our mother was absolutely the most selfless woman we have ever met. She would give herself to one and all because of the deep concern that she had for her fellow man or woman. Whether it was taking clothing to Bustamante or even building roofs of dilapidated homes or entire houses for the less advantaged, she was always there to help. Starting a restaurant with $3000.00 in an old boat garage seemed like such a futile way to provide for her young children but it was her only option after being cheated in two separate business ventures. Working seven nights per week, until 11:00 PM or midnight for the entire life of our family's restaurant seemed like a small sacrifice for her to make for us, her children. She deeply missed our dear father who was not only the love of her life but also an incredibly talented, ambitious, and kind-spirited man. Her profession achievements were many. Among them was being named "One of the 100 best new restaurants in America by Esquire Magazine. This along with Hispanic magazines top 50 Hispanic restaurant in the nation, Texas Highways, and Southern living magazine are just a few. She also had appearances on Good Morning America with Emeril Lagasse, the Today Show, Despierta America, Tasting Texas, and Throw Down with Bobby Flay and countless others. She received the spirit award in the inspiration category from National Association of Professionals Business Women Owners, she was about to be inducted in the hall of honor for the Texas Restaurant Association. These successes paled in comparison to her most rewarding professional accomplishments, satisfying each and every customer that graced our premises with the privilege of serving them. That was her life's ambition to serve tirelessly, gracefully, and gratefully, one customer at a time, one meal at a time. One day at a time was all our mother knew. How she could help and who could she help was her mantra. This world is a sadder place without our mother and our hearts now have two huge vacuums that can never be filled in this life. This selfless life had its rewards though. Her eldest daughter Teresa Barrios Ogden, a prominent podiatrist, along with her husband Dr. James Ogden, also a podiatrist, gave her her first grandchild, Analie Christian Ogden, now a senior at Incarnate Word High School and about to enter Texas A&M University. Analie gave her "Wia",as she named her a renewed vigor for life. This was an effect that was reproduced by each and every grandchild. Analie's younger sister is Liliana Alexandra Ogden, a sophomore at Incarnate Word High School who was also could lift up her grandmother's spirits with just a hug. Viola's youngest daughter, Diana Barrios Treviño, married Roland Treviño. As fate would have it Roland's grandparents and parents were friends of our father and mother. Diana's oldest son Jordan Anthony Treviño, presently a junior at Central Catholic High School was Viola's first grandson and someone Viola could always count on for help in anything. Evan Andres Treviño, Jordan's younger brother, is a 7th grader at Holy Spirit Catholic School and could always make his grandmother sigh with his somewhat spirited antics. Diego Jose Treviño 2nd grader at Holy Spirit Catholic School is the youngest of from the Treviño clan. He could always surprise his grandmother with his maturity and ease. Viola's only son, Luis Barrios, married Traci Elliot, in 1993 and she proudly changed her name to Traci Barrios, leaving behind her families last name. Traci's gifts to Viola's began with Lindsay Marie Barrios, a 7th grader at St. George Episcopal School. Lindsay shared a special bond with "Wia" and her Wia cherished it. Hailey Bethany Barrios, Lindsay's younger sister a 6th grader at St. George Episcopal School, was in Viola's opinion, a younger version of her own daughter Diana. Viola so much enjoyed seeing Hailey's personality lift up a room. Finally Viola's last grandchild Ian Joseph Barrios who is in kindergarten at St. George Episcopal School is the namesake she needed for our branch of the family tree to continue. Ian the littlest one with the biggest charge, to bring honor to the name Viola helped build. This is the part of Viola's legacy that she enjoyed the most, her family, and not just her children or her grandchildren, but also her four sisters and their posterity. Her two surviving sisters are Connie Villalon and Mary Cavazos. The two sisters that preceded our mother in death were Gloria Mann and Irma Arvizu. Our mother lived the American Dream and although she was not born in this great country she proudly earned the citizenship and worked tirelessly on so many fronts to make it a better country. During our visit to New York's Statue of Liberty after watching the videos of the new immigrants on Ellis Island, Viola sobbed. She said "That was us, my sisters and I, we lived that experience, except from Mexico". Thank you to you all who graced our doorstep. You need to know how much she appreciated each and everyone of you. And to those who never met her we can only say, I'm sorry that you never had the opportunity for her to serve you personally and lovingly. Muchas Gracias Services Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2008 from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a rosary to be held at 6:00 P.M., at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 700 Dewhurst, San Antonio, Texas 78213. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, with interment to follow at San Fernando Cemetery II. You may sign the on-line guestbook at www.missionparks.com under the obituary section. In lieu flowers a foundation has been started in Viola's Honor. VIOLA'S HUGE HEART FOUNDATION. 4223 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78212. No matter what you put into it, it gives back so much more. MISSION PARK NORTH 3401 CHERRY RIDGE SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78230 210 349-1414

Tributes

Viola B. Barrios

April 23, 2008